Semi-disposable surgical stapler

Abstract

A semi-disposable surgical stapling instrument providing for the replacement of staple cartridges, as needed, in the course of an operation, and for the optional provision of a knife to cut tissue between staple rows. Propulsion of the stapling unit may be powered and controlled from the back of the instrument by either hand, as desired, during a surgical procedure with minimal generation of frictional or distoring forces. Economic materials of construction may be employed.

We claim: 
     
       1. A surgical stapling instrument comprising: (a) an upper elongate frame member for receiving a staple holder, said upper elongate frame member further comprising a forward section defining an elongate upper jaw member;   (b) a lower elongate frame member, said lower elongate frame member further comprising a forward section defining an elongate lower jaw member, said elongate lower jaw member comprising an anvil section;   (c) hinge means, attaching said upper and lower elongated frame members at their respective rearward extremities, to enable said anvil section to be positioned directly opposed to said staple holder;   (d) a locking means, for substantially maintaining said upper and lower elongate frame members in fixed relative positive;   wherein said upper and lower elongate frame members are in contact along substantially their entire lengths rearward of said elongate upper and lower jaw members when said upper and lower elongate frame members are locked in fixed relative position, whereby deflections of the elongate upper and lower jaw members are minimized, said contact of said upper and lower elongate frame members along substantially their entire lengths comprising contact between projections extending downward from said upper elongate frame member and said lower elongate frame member.   
     
     
       2. The instrument of claim 1 wherein a staple cartridge assembly, comprising a staple holder and a slider assembly, is positionable in said upper elongate frame member, wherein in response to a forward movement of said slider assembly sequential ejection of staples from said staple holder may be effected. 
     
     
       3. The instrument of claim 1 further comprising a slider assembly slidably associated with said upper elongate frame member. 
     
     
       4. The instrument of claim 1 wherein said upper elongate frame member further comprises a staple cartridge assembly, said staple cartridge assembly further comprising a staple holder and a slider assembly. 
     
     
       5. The instrument of claim 2 further comprising a means for effecting said forward movement of said slider assembly. 
     
     
       6. The instrument of claim 5 wherein said means for effecting said forward movement of said slider assembly comprises a pusher bar, slidable received at the respective rearward extremities of said upper and lower elongate frame members, separably connectable to said slider assembly and further being configured to support said upper and lower elongated frame members thereby minimizing lateral deflections of said upper and lower elongate frame members. 
     
     
       7. The instrument of claim 6, further comprising upper and lower handle members respectively imposed over a portion of said upper and lower elongate frame members in a fixed configuration when said locking means is in the locked condition, said upper and lower handle members further comprising finger rest thereby enabling the user to enlist a syringe-like action to effect a forward movement of said pusher bar. 
     
     
       8. The instrument of claim 2, wherein after said sequential ejection of staples, said slider assembly can be retracted to permit unlocking of said upper and lower elongate frame members, thereby allowing removal of said stapler cartridge assembly, further allowing installation of another staple cartridge assembly. 
     
     
       9. The instrument of claim 2 wherein said anvil section has a longitudinal central opening. 
     
     
       10. The instrument of claim 9 wherein said staple cartridge assembly additionally includes a knife blade, wherein said knife blade can be caused to travel through said longitudinal opening in said anvil section, thereby enabling the severance of substance being stapled.